Advanced Rock Climbing Course
AMI Advanced Rock Course
If you are ready to have the next level of outdoor adventure, lead climbing is for you. This climbing instruction course is for those who have been following leaders up routes, cleaning gear, belaying a leader and are ready for the next step. A good leader designs a protection system to reduce hazards from lead falls, but also protects the second. This course will answer several questions about leading. How do you arrange protection to catch the fall and not be dislodged by the run of the rope system? When should I place gear? What should I look out for when protecting the second? The goal of this course is to set the foundation for a lifetime of fun leading routes by developing your skills and knowledge at protecting single pitch climbs for both the lead and the second.
This two-day course builds on the topics of the AMI Intermediate Rock Course, and follows the instructional progression of: fundamental skills, belay management, protection systems, ascending, descending, and rescue skills. This course expands on prior knowledge, but builds new skills for challenges facing leaders.
The AMI Advanced Rock Course focuses on teaching you the skills of climbing rope management and protection systems for leading a pitch, protecting both the leader and the second. The course examines equipment, anchors, belaying a leader and creating a protection system that safeguards both the leader and the second. You will understand the concepts of the fall factor, what variables affect fall forces, and how to choose the most appropriate style of belay for the situation. Most of all, you will develop the skills needed to analyze the situation and determine the safest possible 
solution. During the course, you will get to practice leading with feedback.
The benefits from this course include:
- Understanding lead belaying and belaying the second
- How to select the proper protection configuration given the situation
- How to construct a protection system and avoid rope drag
- Protecting the second from hazards
- Methods for belaying seconds
- Rope management and efficient transitions
- Climbing Rescue situations for seconds
- Rappelling methods and backups
- How to read topo of routes
- Hazard assessment and avoidance
- Fall forces and how to determine safe falls and no fall situations
Participants must have prior climbing experience following climbs, building anchors with protection, and comfortably top rope 5.6 climbs. You should have some experience placing protection such as cams, stoppers and tri-cams. The anchors course is a recommended prerequisite if you have not had much experience with placing protection.
Tuition: Private course $380.00 or with 2 or more individuals $190.00 for each person
Duration: 2 day Course
size: 5 participants (minimum of 2 participants for group rates)
Course Dates
May 15-16th
June 12-13th
September 18th-19th
Private classes may be schedule at your convenience
Testimonials
Patrick is an excellent teacher. I would recommend the lead course to anyone interested in learning how to lead trad climbs. I now have the confidence to go out and do it on my own.
Michael Egues
